Doctor Answers 4

Lumineers vs. Traditional Veneers for Adding Length

August 7th, 2011

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Lumineers can be done to add length to teeth but there are several other issues to consider. Are the teeth positioned such that the added material will not make them look bulky? Are they of a color that an ultrathin material can create the final color you would desire? Are your teeth short because of extensive wear and can your teeth be lengthened with a thin material without it breaking. Will your bite allow lengthening and will you need a nightguard after?

The company promoting lumineers makes it sound like dentists who prepare teeth are doing harm, are too agressive, etc. The truth is most good cosmetic dentists would do every case without preparing teeth if it was posssible to get a great result. In most cases there are reasons to do conservative preparation on some or all of the teeth to achieve the best cosmetic result and longevity. See someone with experience with both to give you the best treatment options.

Lengthening teeth can be difficult

August 3rd, 2011

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In order to add size to teeth there needs to be room. For example if there are spaces between the teeth (room) the the teeth can be made wider to close the spaces. In order to lengthen teeth, there must be "space" in the bite to allow this to happen. If the "space" doesn't exist, it must be created. This may be possible with Lumineers, but when making major changes to the size and shape of the teeth I feel that prepping the teeth is probably required to gain maximum control of the final product and that traditional veneers would be my choice.

Understand that Lumineers are marketed as no prep or minimal prep veneers, but they are still veneers. In the right hands this could probably be done with Lumineers. However, based on my experience and based on what I have seen, other traditional veneer systems can give the lab more control over the final esthetics and allow them to create exceptionally beautiful smiles.

Lumineers Pictures

Which is preferred? lumineers VS traditional veneers

August 3rd, 2011

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I don't like Lumineers in general for my patients, because there are probably only 2-3% of all patients who walk in to my office can be candidates, and even then I dislike the appearance of the. The company has not massive amount of advertizing when in fact a great cosmetic lab using Empress, or Emax veneers get much better esthetic result .Lumineers can cause gum inflammation by creating a ledge for bacteria to trap . Lumineers hardly ever block out the color of the tooth underneath well enough.

As far as short teeth, unless you increase the lengh of " ALL" of the teeth in upper arch , your veneers no matter what kind will brake and pop off. you cann ot expect the fron teeth to be increased in size, and not the back ones.

There are many photos of such cases done in my website. Please review to completely understand the risks involved if you do not do so.

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as
a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you
have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute
or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.